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May 10, 1933 – January 1, 2024

Elayne Stafford McCartney died in Provo, Utah on January 1, 2024, at the age of 90, while she was a patient at Utah Valley Hospital.

Elayne is survived by her son, Wade Stafford McCartney (Althea), her grandchildren, Jasmine, Steven, Samuel and Juliette, and great grandchildren Lexa and Izaiha. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, and her sister, Norma Mae Stafford. 

Elayne was born on May 10, 1933, in Niles, Michigan to William Irving Stafford and Julia Ellen Miars. Elayne grew up on the family farm where they raised corn, soybeans, and dairy.

She attended a one-room country schoolhouse about a mile from her home which she walked to and from for kindergarten through 8th grade. During that time, one or her favorite activities was softball and recess at lunchtime. She was a good pitcher. While attending Niles High School in town five miles from home, she also played softball during recess or during PE class, since there was no girls softball team at school.

In 1950 as a high school senior, she tried out for the South Bend Blue Sox, a women’s professional baseball team who played from 1943 through 1954 in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Although she didn’t make the team, she appreciated the opportunity and enjoyed the experience.

In 1951, Elayne graduated from Niles High School. That fall, she enrolled at Michigan State University (MSU) and graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physical Education. She also met her future husband, William Oliver McCartney, at MSU. During the Summers while attending college (and after), Elayne worked as a camp counselor and Sports Director at Camp Robin Hood located in Green Lake, Wisconsin, a private girls camp. From 1955 to 1961, Elayne taught high school in several cities in Michigan

On June 24, 1961, Elayne married William “Bill” Oliver McCartney at Morris Chapel in Niles, Michigan and then traveled to Sacramento, California where they lived for more than 53 years.

While Bill worked as a Plant Pathologist for the State of California Department of Food and Agriculture, Elayne was active in the home as a homemaker and in the community.

In the early/mid 1960s, Elayne was an active member of Pilot International (aka, Pilot Club), a community service organization. She was a member of the American (and Michigan) Association for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (AAHPER), and a member of the Young Women’s Christian Association. 

Elayne also volunteered with The American Red Cross, attending Leadership Center training and earned a Water Safety Instructor Authorization.

In 1972, Elayne joined the Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento where she was a member for 40 years. From time to time, she also attended Methodist Church with her sister, Norma. Elayne enjoyed sports and supported her son, Wade, while practicing and playing baseball (little league) and soccer (Jr High School, Rec, Competitive Club, High School, College at UC Davis, and Men’s League in Sacramento). Elayne often volunteered as an official baseball scorekeeper and traveled to many soccer practices and games. For many years, Elayne enjoyed playing golf at the Cordova Golf Course in the Cordova Women’s Club league. Elayne also enjoyed reading, poetry, and gardening.

Family and friends will gather Monday, September 9, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. for a graveside service to lay to rest Bill and Elayne MacCartney and Norma Mae Stafford in Morris Chapel Cemetery, 11721 Pucker Street (corner of Chapel Street), Niles, Michigan.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Halbritter Wickens Funeral Services, Niles. (halbritterwickens.com, 269.683.3000).

Messages of condolence and remembrances, or just to reaching out, may be sent to Wade McCartney in care of Halbritter Wickens Funeral Service, halbritterwickens.com or 269.684.3000.